Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

It took me a while, but I now understand why I can't get the seed supplies I need to help small farmers stop starvation in Botswana, Uganda,Cameroon, and most other African countries. Initially I noted that most African countries have a very limited number of seed suppliers and that these seed suppliers sold a very limited number of products.  I also was told by the Botswana embassy personnel that they wanted to use only non-GMO seeds.  

 After a little investigation I determined that African countries sell most of their vegetables in the European market and Europeans wanted to buy only non-GMO products. Botswana embassy personnel noted that it is very difficult to distinguish between a GMO seed product and a non-GMO seed product.  Most African countries limit the number of seed companies in their country and also limit the import of seeds into their country to ensure that they are selling only non-GMO products.

 It also is very difficult and expensive to get an Import Permit to import seeds into an African country even when you are importing seeds that have been declared to be non-GMO by a US grower such as those at Seed Saver Exchange.  I must use only the seeds that are available unless I want to spend more than two years to get the proper Import Permit and Phytosanitary certification. I may need to wait a few years to obtain non-GMO, non-hybrid green pole bean seeds or non-GMO, non-hybrid corn seeds with strong stalk if I am lucky. These seeds are very common in other parts of the world including Europe.

The following website provides an example of what seeds are available in the US https://www.trueleafmarket.com/collections/all-market-seeds

 

The FAO needs to review the seed supplier biodiversity and food security policy recommendations that they have made to African countries based on the implementation of current FAO policies. A more robust seed supplier industry is needed in most African countries.